Mini World Cup second round tips off in Doha

Doha, Qatar: As appetizers go for FIBA Basketball World Cups, the first ever Mini World Cup in Qatar is a big hit. Thirty two secondary school teams h...

Doha, Qatar: As appetizers go for FIBA Basketball World Cups, the first-ever Mini World Cup in Qatar is a big hit. Thirty-two secondary school teams have already squared off on the hardwood in the first round, aiming to become the champion of the inaugural competition. The second round gets underway today.

“It’s been wonderful,” said Mohammad Mishal Al-Khuzai of the Hassan Bin Thabit School. “It’s a new experience for me. I really loved the idea of making a World Cup for schools in Qatar. It’s a new idea never seen before. I hope other countries implement the same idea.”

Gabriel Adonis of the Philippine School said: “The Mini World Cup tournament has been exciting and challenging because my team and I get to go against different teams and experience different levels of competition.”

The Mini World Cup is part of the School Olympic Program and is being organised under the supervision of FIBA in partnership with the Qatar Basketball Federation. The 32 secondary schools from across Qatar are competing under their official school names.

The league mirrors the competition format of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, allowing players to create a connection to next year’s big event that will feature the best national teams from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.